Twist Uptown notably features the first released version of "On Broadway," a composition written by Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann.

The song was later modified by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and became a hit for The Drifters in 1963.

During this period, The Crystals appeared as a quintet but this album features the vocals of six Crystals; it contains tracks with original member Myrna Giraud as well as Dolores "LaLa" Brooks who was Giraud's permanent replacement by its release.

Recording sessions took place mainly at Aldon Music and Mirasound in late 1961 and early 1962.

In 1963, the album was repackaged as He's a Rebel to benefit from their hit of the same name (although the song was really recorded by The Blossoms) and the two tracks that were omitted were "Please Hurt Me" and "Gee Whiz Look at his Eyes (Twist)."